Air Force disbands No. 285 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond

A ceremonial parade was held at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Richmond today to mark the disbandment of Number 285 Squadron.

No. 285 Squadron was formed on 24 August 1999 to train aircrew and technicians serving on the C-130H and C-130J Hercules transport aircraft, as well as the Boeing 707 tanker transport.

With the retirement of the Boeing 707 in 2008 and the C-130H in 2012, a decision was made to transition C-130J training into its operational unit, No. 37 Squadron,  commencing in January 2018.

The majority of instructors and support staff will join No. 37 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond, with the remainder joining the Air Mobility Training and Development Unit.

Commander Air Mobility Group, Air Commodore Richard Lennon said No. 285 Squadron had served RAAF at a critical time in history.

“The past 18 years have witnessed the Australian Defence Force conduct sustained missions to Iraq, Afghanistan, East Timor, and carry out numerous disaster relief operations,” Air Commodore Lennon said.

“No. 285 Squadron has played a critical role in training RAAF’s air mobility workforce that delivered and sustained these operations.

“Its creation coincided with new simulator technology that released many real aircraft from the need to conduct flying training, and allowed them to fly on operational tasks.”

The Squadron has provided students with instruction in a range of environments, from training devices and cockpit simulators, through to international tasks to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. 

It also played a role in training crew attendants for the RAAF’s Special Purpose Aircraft fleet, and conducted specialist training courses in fuel quality management.

“Much of No. 285 Squadron’s training has been drawn from operational experience, but it has also strived to be at the forefront of new training methods and techniques.

“In recent years, the Squadron has played a leading role in applying ‘Live, Virtual and Constructive’ training, which saw it network its C-130J simulator to exercises in the United States,” Air Commodore Lennon said.

Media Note: Imagery of No. 285 Squadron and the parade will be available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/285+squadron/